Page 34 of Obsession

I carried Hollis up to our room and laid her down on the bed with a gentleness that would’ve shocked those who knew me only as The Butcher. My fingers brushed against her bruised skin as I tucked her in, the contrast between my callused hands and her delicate frame striking me more than ever before. I’d kill anyone who dared to touch her again. She was mine. If anyone was going to cause her pain, it would be me.

“Riot… we need to talk,” Crash’s voice cut through my thoughts, and I glanced up to see him and Kane standing in the doorway, their eyes locked on Hollis.

“Are you sure that’s wise?” I asked.

“Look, man, we fucked up,” Crash began, his usual smugness replaced by something almost resembling remorse. “We didn’t know she meant so much to you. We won’t touch her again.”

I got the feeling he was lying through his teeth, but I’d let it slide for now. As long as they knew to never touch Hollis again, that would be enough. If there was more going on, I’d deal with it later.

“Damn right you won’t. You so much as breathe in her direction, and I’ll make sure your last moments on this earth are filled with more pain than you can even fucking imagine.” I flexed my hands. “As it is, I want to beat the shit out of both of you again. I don’t think you’ve suffered enough.”

“Understood,” Kane mumbled, his gaze shifting nervously between me and Hollis. “We thought she was making you soft.”

“Soft? Why?” I asked.

“You’re different with her,” Crash said. “It’s like you care or something.”

He wasn’t entirely wrong. I did feel something for her, even if I couldn’t define it. But telling them that would only cause more problems. “She belongs to me. You touched my property, tried to kill her, and you thought I’d be fine with it? You know how I am about my possessions. Now get the fuck out of here before I decide to carve a few inches off both your hides.”

As they turned away, I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of sick game fate was playing with me. A monster like me shouldn’t feel this way about anyone, least of all a woman as innocent as Hollis. Sure, I called her my property. I definitely obsessed over her. Even I could admit as much. But the fact it could possibly be something more was the one thing I didn’t like and would never admit.

As I watched her sleep, her chest rising and falling with each shallow breath, I knew one thing for certain: there was no going back. She was mine now, and I’d be damned if I let anyone take her from me.

* * *

It had been a week and Hollis had slept through most of it. When she was awake, I gave her pain medication, soup, and made sure she stayed hydrated. All the things the doctor said she’d need in order to survive.

The doctor’s visits had become a daily routine, and each time she entered the mansion, I wondered if she’d end up telling me bad news. Hollis didn’t seem to be recovering as quickly as I’d have liked. Even the doctor had looked concerned over a few of the wounds.

“Riot,” the doctor murmured, her voice trembling as she approached Hollis. “I need to examine her.”

“Make it quick, and don’t fuck up.” It had become my mantra whenever the doctor showed up.

The doctor nodded, her hands shaking as she began examining Hollis. My gaze never wavered, my eyes boring into her every movement, ensuring that she didn’t screw up and cause more harm than good.

“Her condition is better, and she’s still stable, but she needs more time to recover.”

“Every day she’s like this, she’s vulnerable. Tell me, is she going to fucking die?”

“Riot, I can’t predict the future. She’s weak, but she’s fighting. Her wounds are healing, even if it’s slow. I’m doing everything I can to help her,” the doctor replied.

“Then do more, or I swear to God…” I trailed off, not needing to finish the threat. I could see the fear in her eyes, and knew she understood the consequences all too well.

As more days passed, I found myself growing increasingly restless. It wasn’t just her survival at stake. It was mine as well. I’d never been one for sentimentality or attachment, but I couldn’t deny the hold Hollis had over me. And as I watched her, clinging to life, I began to realize just how much I needed her.

“Riot,” she murmured, her voice weaker than I’d have liked.

“Hey,” I said softly, my voice surprisingly gentle. “How are you feeling?”

“Like hell,” she replied, attempting a weak smile. “But I’m still here.”

“Damn right, you are,” I muttered, my eyes never leaving hers. “And I’ll make sure you stay that way.”

* * *

The first time I saw Hollis sit up in bed, the relief hit me like a sucker punch to the gut. Her eyes, once glassy and distant, now held a spark of life that sent my heart racing.

“Riot.” She held out her hand to me. “I feel so much better. Thank you for taking care of me.”

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